Get to Know Our Veterinary Team
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Ashton Boon
DVM
Doctor Ashton Boon is a true Florida native. She received her B.S. in Biology from Florida State University and then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida in 2023. During her time in vet school, she was a member of zoological medicine and herpetology clubs, which fostered her love for exotic animal medicine. Moreover, she participated in research on an emerging viral disease in snakes, which culminated in her first publication by the time she graduated. After graduation, Dr. Boon successfully completed a yearlong internship in exotic animal medicine.
Doctor Boon is ecstatic to be with Avian and Exotic Animal Care and takes great pride in the unique and specialized care of exotic animals! Her professional interests are broad, but she particularly loves taking care of reptiles and amphibians and is working towards a specialization in reptile medicine. She also loves emergency medicine, especially when it can be adapted to exotic species.
Doctor Boon shares her home with her husband, her beloved German shepherd, a cat, a rosy boa, and several poison dart frogs. Outside work, she can be found at the gym, drawing and painting or exploring outdoor spaces (especially in search of wildlife).
Dr. Ashton Boon’s Publications:
- Boon MA, Iredale ME, Tillis SB, Ossiboff RJ. Ophidian Serpentoviruses: A Review and Perspective. J Herp Med Surg. 2023;33(4):205-216.
Dr. Alissa Tepedino
DVM, CertAqV
Doctor Tepedino earned her B.S. in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2019. During veterinary school, she began an ongoing research project studying the pathology of hawksbill sea turtles and completed externships in zoological, wildlife, and aquatic animal medicine. She is a Certified Aquatic Veterinarian through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. Doctor Tepedino’s special interests include oncology, aquatic and amphibian medicine, ophthalmology, and surgery.
Dr. Alissa Tepedino’s Publications:
- Rodríguez PS, Stewart KM, Picknell A, Pemberton L, Tepedino A, Capaldo D, Dennis MM. PATHOLOGY OF HATCHLING HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE (ERETMOCHELYS IMBRICATA) MORTALITIES OCCURRING WHILE UNDER REHABILITATIVE CARE, 2015-21. J Wildl Dis. 2023 Jan 1;59(1):109-120
Dr. Sara Sokolik
DVM, MPH
Doctor Sara Sokolik received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota in 2014 and went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 2018. During her studies, she devoted her clinical time to zoo animal medicine and management and participated in research on various wild animal species, ranging from frogs to raptors to moose.
After graduating from vet school, Dr. Sokolik completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery before completing a second internship at Cornell University, specializing in exotic, zoo, and wild animal species. She joined the Avian and Exotic Animal Care team in 2020 and has fallen in love with North Carolina. Her interests are broad and include coming up with unique solutions to medical and surgical problems in all exotic animals and building bonds with her patients and clients. In 2021, Dr. Sokolik completed her Master of Public Health degree focusing on the transmission of disease between free-ranging and captive species. She is currently working towards specialization in companion exotic mammals.
Dr. Sara Sokolik’s Publications:
- Sara J. Sokolik, Daniel H. Johnson, Effective Treatment of Snake Mites, Clinicians Brief, June edition 2021.
- Kane, L. P., Aitken-Palmer, C., Sokolik, S., Stacy, N. I., Adkesson, M. J., Chinnadurai, S. K., Langan, J. N., Adamovicz, L., & Allender, M. C. (2022). CLINICOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION OF AN EX SITU POPULATION OF ADULT AFRICAN WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLIN (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS). Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 53(3), 551-560.
- Sokolik, S. J., Moore, S., Boufana, B., Travis, D., & Wolf, T. M. (2018). The zoonotic risk of echinococcosis transmission warrants renewed attention in northern Minnesota.
- Sokolik, S. FUNGAL FLORA OF ROSETTEQUILLS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE (ERETHIZON DORSATUM) IN THE NORTHEASTERN US. Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine: official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, date and issue pending.
Dr. Salina Locke
DVM, Diplomate ABVP, CertAqV
Doctor Locke earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The University of Georgia in 2011. Doctor Locke has been part of the AEAC family since 2002, working for several years under the mentorship of Dr. Dan and Dr. Eckermann-Ross until leaving for veterinary school. Doctor Locke is a diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Practice and is certified in aquatic animal medicine through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. She is an adjunct assistant professor for North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Clinical Sciences.
Doctor Locke has been published in peer-reviewed veterinary journals on exotic animal medicine and lectures on the subject across the United States. She is also Chair of the education committee for the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Dr. Salina Locke’s Publications:
- Locke SA, Johnson DH, Shimp J, et al. Radiographic Reference Ranges of the Cardiac Silhouette Width in the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalis). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 2020; 34(30):260-267.
- Locke SA, Johnson DH. Surgical Amputation of Polymelia in a Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) with Caudal Duplication Syndrome. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 2021; 38:1-4.
- Locke SA, Unmann NJ. Diagnosis and treatment of psittacine pharyngeal spirochetosis in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 2022; 40:35-36.
Dr. Christine Eckermann-Ross
DVM, CVA, CVCH, CTPEP
Doctor Christine Eckermann-Ross joined Avian and Exotic Animal Care after graduating from North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Eckermann-Ross earned a BS in Biochemistry and worked as a research specialist in Radiation Oncology at UNC/CH. Doctor Eckermann-Ross serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at NCSU-CVM and has lectured at professional conferences on avian and exotic animal medicine and acupuncture. She is certified in acupuncture, herbal medicine, palliative, and end-of-life care. She has special interests in avian medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, surgery, and oncology.
Dr. Dan Johnson
DVM, Diplomate ABVP (ECM)
Dan Johnson is a 1992 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU-CVM). He founded Avian and Exotic Animal Care, North Carolina’s first all-exotics practice, in 1996. Doctor Johnson is an Assistant Professor at NCSU-CVM and a Visiting Professor at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), specializing in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice.
Doctor Johnson is past president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) and was the 2022 recipient of the Oxbow/AEMV Quest Award. The Quest Award is presented annually to an animal health professional who advances the field of exotic mammal medicine and care. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in the field of exotic mammal health. Doctor Johnson publishes and lectures internationally on avian and exotic animal practices.
Dr. Dan Johnson’s Publications:
- Salina Locke, Dan Johnson. Surgical amputation of polymelia in a broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) with caudal duplication syndrome. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 2021;38(1):1-4
- Dan H Johnson, Geriatric hedgehogs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2020 Sep;23(3):615-637
- Johanna Mejia-Fava, Shannon P. Holmes, MaryAnn Radlinsky, Dan Johnson, Angela E. Ellis, Jörg Mayer, Dr Medvet, Rodney Schnellbacher, and Stephen J. Divers. Use of a Nitinol Wire Stent for Management of Severe Tracheal Stenosis in an Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 2015 Vol 29(3): 238-49
- Dan Johnson, Guest Editor, Unusual Exotic Pets, Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, October 2014, Volume 23, Issue 4, p313-428
- Dan Johnson, Emergency presentations of the exotic small mammalian herbivore trauma patient. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 2012; 21(4): 300-315
- Dan Johnson, Hedgehogs and sugar gliders: respiratory anatomy, physiology and disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 2011; 14(2): 267-285
- Warren Booth, Dan Johnson, Sharon Moore, et al. Evidence for viable, non-clonal but fatherless Boa constrictors. Biology Letters 2011; 7(2): 253-256
- Dan Johnson, Endoscopic intubation of exotic companion mammals. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 2010; 13(2):273-289
- Dan Johnson, African Pygmy Hedgehogs In: Merideth A, Johnson-Delaney C, Ed. BSAV Manual of Exotic Pets, Woodrow House:Gloucester, UK 2010
- Dan Johnson and Selena L Lane, Cryosurgery versus excision for removal of peripheral nerve sheath tumors in goldfish (Carassius auratus), Exotic DVM, (2007) 9.2:14-16
- Dan Johnson, Miscellaneous Species In: Teresa Bradley Bays, Teresa Lightfoot,and Joerg Mayer, Eds. Exotic Pet Behavior. Elsevier, 2006.
- Dan Johnson, Over-the-endoscope endotracheal intubation of small exotic mammals, Exotic DVM, (2005) 7.2:18-23.
- Dan Johnson, Endoscopic tracheal wash in two guinea pigs, Exotic DVM, (2005) 7.3: 11-15
- Dan Johnson, An Emerging Dermatomycosis and Systemic Mycosis Syndrome in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps): Two Case Reports of “Yellow Fungus Disease”, Exotic DVM, (2004) 6.3:75-77
- Dan Johnson, Practical Koi Medicine, Exotic DVM, (2004) 6.3:42-48
- Dan Johnson, Introduction to Fennec Foxes, Exotic DVM, (2003), 5.4:42-45
- Dan Johnson, External Fixation of Bilateral Tibial Fractures in an American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), Exotic DVM, (2003) 5.2:27-30
- Dan Johnson, Exotic Pet Care: Degus, Exotic DVM, (2002) 4.4:3944
- Dan Johnson, Clinical Use of Cryosurgery for Ferret Adrenal Gland Removal, Exotic DVM, (2002) 4.3:7171
- Robert Wagner and Dan Johnson, Rhinotomy for Treatment of Odontoma in Prairie Dogs, Exotic DVM, (2001) 3.5:2929